Along with potatoes, carrots, beets , cabbage, onions are stored until the spring of next year. In order to make the laying of any vegetable as long as possible, it should be properly prepared for winter. From this article you will learn how and when to properly cut the onions after harvesting depending on its further use.
When to cut an onion?
First of all, it is necessary to determine the correct time for collection of onions. This is necessary in order that he matured well, but did not begin to grow again. The most optimal period for this is the end of July - the beginning of August. Determine that the onion is ready for collection by the fact that its tops have turned yellow and have fallen asleep, and the neck of the bulb itself began to dry.
After all the onions are collected you can start sorting and pruning it.
How to cut onions when harvesting for winter storage?
Harvest onions should be harvested in the morning to allow it to dry out until evening. Without waiting for the onset of cold, it must be carried to a shed or a canopy, where it will continue to dry for several days. After that, you can proceed to pruning. There are two ways to do this:
- Only the rootlets are cut off, but you should not damage the bottom, otherwise rotting may begin in this place, and the dried long feathers remain intact and then plait into the braid. In this case, the onion is stored in a hanging position, which ensures good ventilation. This method was often used earlier, and the resulting ligaments were a kind of decoration of the gardener's home.
- Scissors cut dry feathers, leaving 6-10 cm, and roots (up to 1-2 cm). Such bulbs should then be dried and stored in baskets or wooden boxes. If the onion will be used only in food, then the roots need to be cut more, and the bottom should be treated with lime paste to prevent germination.
How to cut the onion for storage?
Onions are used when planting the next year to obtain large bulbs, so the preparation process for bookmarking for the winter is slightly different:
- Trim the feathers immediately after digging. You can not cut it close to the neck of the bulb, you should leave a tail about 10 cm.
- Roots are not cut at all, but only cleaned from the ground.
During pruning, you should simultaneously sample the damaged and unripe bulbs, since it is not wise to leave them, it is better to immediately put aside for food.